Will “The EvCC Strict Coder Guru”

It seems with the advancement of WYSIWYG editors, Content Management Systems (CMS), and One-Click Installs, that the once title of  “Webmaster” is slowly disappearing. Some of the small simple jobs that once were used as resume builders or quick start-up websites are being replaced with hosting companies that give One-Click component and software installs that give the owner ability to start a forum, blog, calendar, gallery, etc. in a matter of minutes. You say, “What should I be talking about, you are using one yourself!”… and I have to agree, as far as this B is concerned, this was a minute install just to create topic discussion. However I am one of those “coders” that can and will write in strictly code only.  Creating a Blog or Forum Interface is a matter of connection with a database and displaying it on the page. However by hand, it would take me far longer since I am simply one person. Wordpress for example had many developers with continues upgrades and patches, where I can create a specific interface suited for the owner. So are “Webmasters” going extinct? Maybe. However the true coders will still be writing these interfaces and web applications to make it easier for another user.

Working with Ektron the past few weeks, it has come to our attention that they seem to just grasp for something to work. With the current test environment on ColdFusion MX7 and their newest release of CMS400.NET v6.1, we were able to make a clean install. It worked until it came to the point to turn on AD authentication.

This project is intended to replace the Intranet, so AD authentication is a must. Currently AD authentication is working correctly on CMS300 (the non .Net release before CMS400). However on the CMS400.Net, the web services are getting 401 errors as the tags are trying to invoke to the CMS. The “support” told us that we should allow anonymous access or impersonate someone for the ‘webservices’ folder. This defeats the purpose of security. Read more

Recently with a switch on campus to VoIP, IT has been involved in getting the network ready and distributing the new Cisco IP Phones. So I have some sneek peek at the new phone.

Also, I have decided to give you a quick look at the setup to connect the phone. Cisco also provided a quick reference guide.

Connection Steps:

1. Connect phone cord between the phone and handset (small end to the handset)
2. Connect the Ethernet cable from the wall port to the “10/100 SW” port on the bottom of the phone
3. Connect the provided Ethernet cable from the phone port “10/100 PC” to the Ethernet port on your computer
4. Once Configured, enter the Call Manager config code and enter the appropriate extension number
5. Done!

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Working with Ektron’s glorious old-school eMPower, the main CMS product that started them rolling, I have noticed a few quirks that are quite funny and bring laughter to anyone’s day. After a Java update, much of our library failed to clients across the campus and it seems in mine (and probably others) that when highlighting text or pictures and move around, it adds more code.. just for highlighting.

I think I found an example too. Check out this screen shot of one of the Athletic pages after I was converting it to the new site. Can you guess by looking in the code, what the page was about???

The Last Day

So I woke up and watched the news seeing that the major airlines were still having delays, but not cancellations. I packed up and headed out. I had to stop by a Dunkin’ Donuts just to try it and then I was off onto the Everett Turnpike Toll road to the airport.

I pulled into the airport and dropped off the ridiculous rated car rental and then I headed in. The lines to check in for US Airways were long, but most were standing there not using the kiosks. The lady asked for people to step forward and no one did, so I went and checked in including my baggage. Well it seemed other flights were delayed, luckily mine was not though. I went to the security check-in to see the lines, but not as long as other major airports. It seemed it went quick until they checked my bag. I had a lead shield to protect the camera film, so they said my whole bag looked black and will be ‘thoroughly’ checked. The lady opened up ever zipper and slowly took everything out. She took the special wand and sniffed out my bag, going through everything. I am glad in a way, since there is more precaution now and making sure nothing will happen.
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Day 4

So today I woke up to some distressing news on Airport security. It seems they found Terrorists in UK planning on bombing mid-flight planes on the way to the US here. They arrested 21 of the maybe 50 they suspect. The main thing they found was inert liquids that they could bring on, but once combined could be high explosive bombs. So now Homeland Security has determined a high risk of terrorism and has given the following restrictions against the following carry-ons:

· Beverages
· Shampoo
· Suntan Lotion
· Creams
· Toothpaste
· Hair Gel
· Other items of similar consistency

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